Joint Base MDL, ASA-Dix members welcome first 'dual-hatted' commander

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Lauren Pitts
  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHRUST, N.J. --  Members of the Joint Base MDL community gathered to witness U.S. Army Col. Marty Klein assume command of Army Support Activity-Dix from Col. Shelley Balderson during a change of command ceremony here May 20.

Klein is now the first "dual-hatted" deputy joint base commander and ASA commander, strengthening the bond between the MDL mission of mobility, training and innovation, with the ASA mission to support and defend.

"Our call, as it has been since the establishment of Camp Dix in 1917, is to provide unparalleled installation services and training opportunities to the citizen Soldiers of our nation," Klein stated during the ceremony.

Humbled by his new responsibilities, Klein reminded the Soldiers and civilians of the ASA of the challenges that lie ahead and the importance of their mission as the force shrinks.

"[The Army] will be relying more heavily on its Reserve component, pivoting from a counter-insurgency focused training strategy to a full-spectrum, sustainable readiness model with tougher standards and significantly less resources than in any time in our nation's history," he explained.

However, ASA members are no strangers to change, Klein explained. The entire joint-basing process, along with past base realignments and closures, have strengthened its members' abilities to adapt and overcome.

"You have always risen to meet any challenge you are given," said Klein. "You are consummate professionals who have earned the trust and confidence of our nation, the Army and the joint base."

Now, looking forward and facing the future, Klein said the ASA directive is clear.
"In order to navigate this point in our history, it will require a closer alignment and integration with installation command and our joint base partners at the 87th Air Base Wing," Klein stated.

"We must also question and improve our service delivery model with an eye towards embracing the differences posed by supporting a primarily Reserve component customer base, and finally rebalance and reinvest redundant or outdated capabilities," he said.

Davis Tindoll Jr., the director of the Atlantic Region U.S. Army Installation Management Command, echoed Klein's sentiments.

"The integration and synchronizations of installation organizations is hard work," Tindoll said during the ceremony. "However, I'm confident in [Klein's] leadership, new energy and excellence that we will continue to see our superb ASA team."

Klein closed his remarks by encouraging his new command to be optimistic of the future, and assuring them that their place in the mission will not diminish.

"There is no question that we will remain an indispensable asset in our Army's installation footprint," Klein said. "Win as one."